COLORADO SPRINGS (2011 FIBA World Championship for Women) - The USA have brought in Malina Howard to replace the injured Imani Stafford on the team headed to Chile to compete in the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women.

Howard brings valuable experience to head coach Jennifer Rizzotti's side, having played for the USA team that took gold at last year's FIBA U18 Americas Championship for Women. That result qualified the country for the upcoming world championship that will take place in Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas from 21 to 31 July.

The 1.95m forward/centre joined her team-mates at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where the USA are holding a final training camp from Monday to Friday before heading down to Chile.

While the loss of Stafford was a blow, Rizzotti said the addition of Howard will ensure that continuity is achieved and that there is no gaping hole.

"After helping the US win a gold medal at the U17 World Championship last summer, we are disappointed that Imani won't have the opportunity to compete with us this year in Chile," she said.

"We are fortunate that the US has many players eager to represent their country and Malina Howard will be a great addition to the team.

"She was an integral part of the team's success in last year's U18 qualifying tournament and I anticipate that she will join our group without missing a beat."

The USA, the three-time reigning champions in the tournament, have been drawn in Group B of the Preliminary Round and will take on Japan, Russia and Argentina.

FIBA